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Spoiler alert: It did not work. Here is why.
Mar 2, 2024 at 11:46am ET
It is an apparent query. If Ford’s new Fast Charging Adapter—which permits Ford’s electrical automobiles to make use of the Tesla Supercharger community—is not some type of “sensible gadget,” will not it theoretically let any EV cost that manner as nicely? In different phrases, cannot you employ the Ford adapter to cost a Rivian, or a Chevrolet Bolt, or anything on the Supercharger community now?
The reply, sadly, is not any. Not till extra automakers get authenticated to make use of the Superchargers. Let’s dig into why.
Our man Tom Moloughney of the State Of Charge YouTube channel was among the many first to make use of Ford’s new adapter to cost his F-150 Lighting at a Tesla station this week. It labored completely, proving that proudly owning a Lightning, Mustang Mach-E or E-Transit van simply received loads simpler with seamless “plug and cost” entry to fifteen,000 Tesla quick chargers. The adapters are freed from cost for Ford EV homeowners till June 30; after that, they promote for $230 together with tax and transport.
Naturally, Tom did what anybody would do on this scenario: he tried his Ford adapter out on another automobiles. For the reason that FordPass app is now designed to work natively with Tesla chargers, Tom used the Tesla app on his Rivian as an alternative, to attempt to “trick” the Supercharger into pondering it was really a Tesla.
When he did, the charger and adapter locked into his Rivian simply fantastic, however then he received an “unauthorized automobile” error message on the app. “Your automobile just isn’t capable of cost at Superchargers right now,” it mentioned.
A lot for that concept. For the sake of science, they tried it with Tom’s Bolt as nicely, however received the identical end result. “No juice for you, Mary Barra,” Tom mentioned. Repeated charging makes an attempt yielded the identical “unauthorized automobile” message.
Apparently, Tom additionally tried to cost the Rivian utilizing third-party adapters from A2Z and Lectron. Neither of these adapters labored both. (Word that Ford does not advocate utilizing these adapters, and Tesla forbids them as nicely, for security causes.)
In different phrases, this is not a {hardware} concern with regards to charging—it is a software program concern. Till Tesla authenticates extra automobiles to work on its community, these will not be allowed to cost there. Womp womp.
The excellent news is that the scenario is altering in a short time. Almost each different automaker is following Ford’s lead this yr and having access to the Tesla community, first with adapters and finally by switching to Tesla’s North American Charging Commonplace plug sort from the manufacturing facility. After 2025, nearly each new EV within the U.S. and Canada can have native entry to Tesla charging. Even Tom’s Rivian will be capable to cost there earlier than later; the EV startup introduced it would ship adapters and allow entry this month. Anticipate extra automakers to comply with the Ford playbook in that manner.
Within the meantime, if you happen to uncover some kind of trickery that means that you can cost a non-Tesla EV at a Supercharger station, let us know.
